Emmaus Borough Council met May 17, for its second board meeting of the month. The revised police station schematics and many new borough hires were the main items on the agenda.

The meeting started with a quick announcement in community minutes. The Emmaus Community Pool will open May 29 and season tickets are currently being sold online.

In communications, a letter was received from a resident living on Elm Street in Emmaus. The resident and the surrounding neighbors would like to host a block party 3-6 p.m. June 26. The residents requested a road block-off on Elm Street from Willow Street alley to First Street. The block-off will be a little less than 500 feet. This request was sent to the mayor.

In another road closure request, Kirsten Gilbert, a managing partner of Curb Appeal Detail, requested Kline’s Lane be closed to Minor Street temporarily above the side entrance to TopStar on the afternoon of June 27. This will be for a ribbon-cutting ceremony/grand opening presenting the new business. Gilbert is the daughter of Mayor Lee Ann Gilbert, so this decision was made by council, who approved the request.

In the mayor’s report, Mayor Gilbert proclaimed May 31 as Memorial Day. She asked all the residents and friends of Emmaus join her in “displaying our country’s flag and praying for peace forever throughout the world,”

An outdoor movie night was announced by Councilwoman Shana Baumgartner, representing parks and recreation. The date is the same as the opening of the community pool, May 29. This event will be held at Emmaus Community Park and will take place right around nightfall.

Braden Sacks was approved for hire as a new police officer for the Emmaus Police Department. He will go through a one-year probation period and must pass all physical tests.

In general administration, the new design schematic for the Emmaus police station was voted on. The new schematic eliminates the carport areas on the old design but keeps the interior work. The evidence room will have a slight addition and more office space will be created. The new design made room for a small evidence storage space in the borough hall garage. The new design was approved by council.

Councilwoman Teri Sorg-McManamon, chairperson of community relations, announced a letter was received from the owner of Cottage & Bloom, 379 Main St., Emmaus. They, along with FD Market and The Deca Salon, requested permission to use two parking spots in the Emmaus Triangle 6-8 p.m. May 27 for a pop-up flower boutique called Sips & Stems.

The pop-up would be a converted Volkswagen flower truck titled Georgia’s Flower Truck. This would be a build-your-own boutique event where the shops and the truck would be stocked with flowers for participants to visit each location to get a sip, shop and create a flower arrangement. This was approved.

Borough Manager Shane Pepe had a large list of hires in his report. He hired Ryan Crawford as the new fire inspector. Crawford has served the Emmaus Fire Department as a firefighter for over 15 years and has extensive inspection experience.

In additional hires, Neil Valois and Timothy Kline were hired as auxiliary/park police. Patricia Deiter, Sarah Schmeltzle, Zack Blose, Nicholas Potts, Benjamin Anders, Isabella Shotwell and Tierna Moore were hired as concession stand employees. Bridget Danish, Clara Kennedy, Cain Wessner and Lily McAfee were hired as pool cashiers.

Brianna Young, Matthias Walck, Nai Re Lin, Julia Rakovska, Sarah Kohler, Annika Gally, Catherine Raynock, Tristen Monahan, Meadow Hamershock, Zoe Taylor, Acacia Walck, Brandon Buonanno, Nicholas Buonanno and Enzo Gualteri were all hired as lifeguards, contingent on receipt of their certifications. Hannah Maron was hired as pool manager and Caleb Snyder as assistant pool manager.

The next Emmaus Borough Council meeting will be held 7 p.m. June 21. The meeting will be held at borough hall, 28 S. Fourth St, Emmaus. Residents can choose to attend virtually via Zoom. A link is on the calendar page on the borough website.